Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State has declared his willingness to join forces with the Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 election, Peter Obi, to give more bite to opposition politics in Nigeria.

Mohammed, who also doubles as the Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors’ Forum, made this known after a private meeting with Obi at the Government House in Bauchi on Thursday, March 13, 2025.

The Governor noted that he and his party respect the former presidential candidate’s political approach and share his vision for the nation.

He described the former Anambra State Governor as clear-headed about bringing about good governance, impacting the people and uniting the nation.

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“We have a lot of respect and admiration for him because of his style of politics, his statesmanship, his versatile nature, and his deep knowledge of the economy and governance.

“Peter Obi has a clear vision of where politics and politicians should be in terms of bringing good governance, impacting the people, and uniting the country. It is always a delight to listen to him because of his deep knowledge and mastery of statistics,” Mohammed said in a statement.

Mohammed calls Obi the new face of opposition politics

The Bauchi Governor also declared that Obi has become Nigeria’s new face of opposition politics, heaping praises on the Labour Party chieftain for always making his voice heard.

Mohammed stressed his readiness to work alongside Obi, highlighting the need for the duo to come together for good governance and vibrant opposition equipped with vision and strategy to save the country from the brink.

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He added that the meeting represents a statement of intent that the duo are ready to work together, claiming that his fellow PDP governors align with such an alliance.

“I appreciate what he is doing as a leader of the opposition because, whether we like it or not, he is now the face of opposition politics in Nigeria.

“I want to say clearly that I am ready to work with Peter Obi. We must come together to bring good governance, offer a vibrant opposition with vision and strategy, and rescue this country from mediocrities parading themselves as leaders.

“The time has come for us to step out and act with sincerity and focus. Our coming together is a message, and this message will resonate because my fellow governors support this kind of alliance,” Mohammed concluded.

The development comes amid talks of a coalition of opposition parties to wrestle power from the President Bola Tinubu-led ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 general elections.

On Monday, March 10, former Kaduna State Governor Nasiru El-Rufai announced his exit from the APC and movement to the Social Democratic Party (SDP) over his claim that the ruling party had left him behind.

Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara has once again extended an olive branch to Martins Amaewhule-led State House of Assembly members, pleading that he needed peace to govern the state effectively.

Fubara made the call on Thursday, March 13, 2025, during the commissioning of some projects in the Okrika Local Government Area of the state.

He urged the lawmakers, believed to be loyalists of his predecessor and Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, to consider the interest of the people of the oil-rich state and embrace peace to resolve the ongoing political feud.

“It is important at this stage that we all embrace peace,” he stated.

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The Governor called on all aggrieved political actors in the South-South state to put all that had happened behind them and commit to fully implementing the recent Supreme Court ruling.

Fubara leaves the door open for reconciliation

Recall that the apex court handed down a raft of decisions on Friday, February 28, 2025, giving victory to the pro-Wike lawmakers.

Meanwhile, Fubara said he has no other option than to abide by the ruling, adding that the implementation process is already in gear.

“The Supreme Court has made its judgment, and we don’t have any option but to abide by it. By the special grace of God, we have started the process.

“We are appealing to other parties to consider the interest of Rivers State. The only thing that we owe this state is peace and development.

“I am open any day, any time for total peace in our state because if I have to govern well, there is the need for peace,” the governor said.

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The protracted feed between Fubara and the Amaewhule-led House isn’t showing any sign of abating soon as the Governor was locked out of the Assembly Quarters on Wednesday.

He had gone there to re-present the state’s 2025 Budget, as mandated by the House and in compliance with the Supreme Court verdict.

Though the Governor claimed that he had communicated his visit to the Speaker in advance, the Assembly said it received no correspondence to that effect.

On Wednesday, the Edo House of Assembly’s majority leader, Donald Okugbe (PDP—Akoko-Edo II), and three other lawmakers defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The other lawmakers are Bright Iyamu (PDP – Orhionmwon South II), Richard Edosa (PDP – Oredo West), and Sunday Ojezele (LP – Esan South East).

By the defection, APC now has 13 members in the House while PDP members have 11.

The lawmakers, received at the APC Secretariat in Beni by the Acting State Chairman, Jarret Tenebe, cited deep divisions and unresolved crises within their former parties as reasons for their defection.

Speaking on behalf of the group, Edosa described the move as a “defining moment”.

He said they believed in Monday OOkpebholo’s vision and were committed to working with him to advance the state’s development.

Welcoming them into the party, Tenebe said their decision to join APC was a bold step toward a better future for Edo State.

He said they would enjoy equal rights and privileges like every other member.

The APC chairman praised their courage and noted that their defection strengthened the party’s collective resolve to improve the state’s governance, security, and economic development.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event was capped with a symbolic handing over of APC brooms to the defecting lawmakers, marking their official entry into the ruling party.